Ebola in America: 30 days later

This photo shows nurse Kaci Hickox in an isolation tent at University Hospital in Newark, N.J., where she was quarantined after flying into Newark Liberty International Airport following her work in West Africa caring for Ebola patients. After complaining about her treatment, Hickox was flown to Maine, where she continues to fight her mandatory quarantine. (AP Photo/Steven Hyman)

One month ago, Americans hit the panic button upon discovering that Thomas Eric Duncan had been diagnosed with Ebola. We’ve learned quite a bit over the past few weeks, but we’re not convinced that we’ve learned how to tamp down the hysteria over a disease that is in reality very difficult to catch. And, as today’s Viewpoints editorial points out, fear can have significant costs, especially in places where the danger is quite real.

We can only hope that as the crisis goes on the public and officials will improve their response. Unfortunately, in the interim, we have great potential to do damage to efforts to stamp out Ebola at the source. While not definitive, the higher U.S. survival rates are likely linked to our relative wealth, early detection and our fully functioning health care systems. The challenge is to quickly adapt to the steep learning curve of this virus and master the art of measuring our fears against actual risk.

The fact that the Pentagon has decided to mandate quarantine for military personnel is interesting, and may present to some an apparent repudiation of the message that President Obama has been trying to send about the need to keep open lines of travel for aid workers. However, it also reflects an important difference between military and civilian efforts in the region. Civilian aid workers choose to go in consultation with their families; military personnel are following orders. While the decision may not be based in sound science, assuaging the concerns of dependent military families within an organization that is already set up to house and feed troops may not be the worst thing in the world, especially given the overreaction on American soil.

Also in Viewpoints today:

Ward Tisdale, president of the Real Estate Council of Austin, describes the pressing need for more town homes and duplexes in Austin.

Chris Faulkner, author and energy company CEO, writes about how government regulation contributes to excessive flaring practice in the energy industry.

From the Left columnist John Young takes his shot at lieutenant governor candidate Sen. Dan Patrick (R) over the role of extremism in American politics.